Holy zone: The Bodh Gaya is a religious site and place of pilgrimage associated with the Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Gaya district in the Indian state of Bihar. — Photo courtesy of the embassy |
Ambassador of
It gives me immense pleasure to greet Indian citizens and friends of
Mahatma Gandhi’s example as the leader of
Our civilisational relationship transcends the modern era. It is over two thousand years old and began when Indian traders and Buddhist monks landed on the shores of Việt
Earlier this year, we concluded the Year of Friendship commemorating the 45th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of our Strategic Partnership.
Taking forward the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Việt
Later in March, President Trần Đại Quang undertook a State visit to
These visits, along with the visit of our Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in June, have given a new road map to our growing multifaceted ties and strengthened economic engagement, defence and security partnerships and cultural and people to people relations – all important elements of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Our leaders have identified strong economic engagement as key to our relationship and have set an ambitious trade target of US$15 billion by the year 2020.
It is a matter of satisfaction that our trade has increased from US$7.8 billion in 2015-16 to US$12.8 billion in 2017-18.
We remain committed to achieve the trade target, lower trade barriers and enhance market access.
Indian business and industry is excited about new investment opportunities in Việt
New partnerships are being forged in the services sector, communication and information technology, scientific research, technological development and academic collaboration.
Numerous short term training programmes under the Indian Technical and Economic Co-operation (ITEC) and Scholarships offered by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) are ongoing and have had a visible impact.
The cultural connections between our societies and peoples are a vital element of our engagement.
The Archaeological Survey of India has completed the second year of its conservation and restoration project at the Chăm temples of Mỹ Sơn, contributing to the preservation of our joint cultural heritage.
For the third year in a row, I was surprised by the enthusiasm and passion of thousands of Vietnamese friends who performed yoga at the International Day of Yoga celebrations across the country. Yoga is a strong binding cultural element between our people and I am happy that the yoga classes at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Hà Nội have been able to carry the uplifting and calming message of yoga to hundreds of new Vietnamese yoga students.
It is also a matter of satisfaction that Government of India and Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti have been able to provide the world famous Jaipur Foot artificial limb fitments to over 500 Vietnamese beneficiaries in Vĩnh Phúc and Phú Thọ provinces in the last month, transforming their lives and enabling their livelihoods.
For
Inclusiveness, openness and ASEAN centrality and unity lie at the heart of bringing about greater security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region for our common pursuit of progress and prosperity.
I thank the leadership, government and people of Việt
Long live India-Việt